Monday links

This Washington Post article tells how former Michigan Democratic congressman David Bonior, described as a “liberal pit bull” and “labor-union BFF” has “undergone an epiphany, making him simpatico with businesses and the profit motive.” What happened? Bonior’s used over $1 million of his own money to open two restaurants in the Washington area and now wishes he had the power to “lighten up on pesky regulations”:

“It took us a ridiculous amount of time to get our permits. I understand regulations and . . . the necessity for it. But we lost six months of business because of that. It’s very frustrating.”

Of course, Bonior had the power to do just that when he spent 26 years in congress, more than half in leadership. Unfortunately, he spent much of that time using that power to increase the regulatory burden on businesses.

Bonior joins former South Dakota senator and 1972 Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern as liberal leaders who saw the light only after they left the public sector to pursue their dreams in the less forgiving business world.

After leaving public office, McGovern used his savings from the lecture circuit to realize his longtime dream of owning and operating a New England hotel:

“In retrospect, I wish I had known more about the hazards and difficulties of such a business, especially during a recession of the kind that hit New England just as I was acquiring the inn’s 43-year leasehold. I also wish that during the years I was in public office, I had had this firsthand experience about the difficulties business people face every day. That knowledge would have made me a better U.S. senator and a more understanding presidential contender.”

McGovern’s inn went bankrupt.

So, do you think the economy would be in better shape if we had more legislators with business experience in Albany and Washington, rather than lawyers?

How the West got rich

Because if we did, more of the people making the decisions upon which so much of the economic health of the country is based would know through their own “firsthand experience” what economist and historian Deirdre McCloskey explains in this short video – that the driving force behind the creation of wealth isn’t government but innovation resulting from economic liberty

the ACA isn’t seen as something to crow about as, according to The Hill: “Most Democrats in competitive elections are seeking to avoid the topic, opting not to tout the controversial law on their campaign websites.”